JP2009133532A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of reducing the size of an outdoor unit and improving appearance. <P>SOLUTION: In this air conditioner 1, an indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected to each other by a plurality of pipes 15 where refrigerants are circulated. The outdoor unit 3 includes: a cabinet 6 forming a body casing; a plurality of joints 13 connecting the pipes 15; a valve 12 for varying the flow of the refrigerant; a connecting part 9 projected on a side surface 8 of the cabinet 6, where the joints 13 or the valves 12 are dispersed and fitted to the front and the back; a first opening 14a opened to the lower parts of the side plates 8a, 8b of the cabinet 6 and disposed in front of the connecting part 9; a second opening 14b opened to the lower part of the side surface 8 of the cabinet 6 and disposed in the rear of the connecting part 9; and a connecting part cover 20 which is fitted to the cabinet 6 to cover the connecting part 9, the joints 13 and the valves 12, and whose inner surface has first and second guide parts 21, 22 for guiding dew condensation water to the first and second opening, 14a, 14b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit by a plurality of pipes through which refrigerant flows.

  FIG. 8 shows a conventional outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The outdoor unit 3 is covered with a cabinet 6 forming a main body housing, and a connecting portion 9 extending vertically is provided on a side surface 8 of the cabinet 6 so as to protrude. A plurality of joints (not shown) for connecting pipes (not shown) are attached to the back surface of the connecting portion 9. The outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit are connected via a pipe, and the refrigerant flows through the pipe to operate the refrigeration cycle.

  A plurality of valves 12 that change the flow rate of the refrigerant are attached to the front surface of the connecting portion 9. A tray 10 that receives condensed water is provided below the connecting portion 9. A drain hose 11 for draining condensed water is attached to the back of the tray 10.

  Condensation generated on the joint and the valve 12 by the operation of the refrigeration cycle drops on the tray 10 and is drained to a desired place by the drain hose 11.

  According to the air conditioner having the above configuration, the tray 10 and the drainage hose 11 are required to drain the condensed water of the joint and the valve 12. For this reason, there are problems that the number of parts increases and installation work increases.

  In order to solve the above problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that guides condensed water to the inside of the outdoor unit 3. In this air conditioner, a plurality of valves for connecting a plurality of pipes are attached to the side surface of the outdoor unit. A cover that covers the valve is attached to the outdoor unit. An opening is provided on the side of the outdoor unit below the valve. The opening is formed by a cut-and-raised (FIG. 3, flange 14) whose lower end is continuous on the side surface of the outdoor unit, and opens upward. The cover is provided with an inclined surface that is bent at the lower end and inserted into the opening.

  Condensation generated in the valve by the operation of the refrigeration cycle drops into the cover and is guided into the outdoor unit by the inclined surface at the lower end.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-77730 (Page 3, Figures 3 and 4)

  However, according to the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, an inclined surface is provided at the lower end of the cover. For this reason, when the connection part 9 (refer FIG. 8) which distributes piping is provided, the space which provides an opening part and an inclined surface under the connection part 9 was needed, and there existed a problem that an outdoor unit became large.

  An object of this invention is to provide the air conditioner which can achieve size reduction of an outdoor unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an air conditioner that connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit by a plurality of pipes through which a refrigerant flows, wherein the outdoor unit includes a cabinet that forms a main body casing, and the pipe. A plurality of joints to be connected; a valve for changing the flow rate of the refrigerant; a connection part that protrudes from one side of the cabinet and is attached to the joint or the valve in a distributed manner on the front and back sides; A first opening that opens at a lower portion of the side surface and is disposed in front of the connection portion; a second opening that is disposed at the lower portion of the side surface of the cabinet and is disposed at the rear of the connection portion; and the connection portion; A connection portion cover that covers the joint and the valve and is attached to the cabinet and has first and second guide portions on the inner surface for guiding condensed water to the first and second openings. It is characterized by a Rukoto.

  According to this structure, the connection part to which a joint and a valve are connected is provided on the side surface of the outdoor unit. The joints and valves are attached in a distributed manner on the front surface and the back surface of the connection portion, and are arranged along the side surface of the outdoor unit in front of and behind the connection portion. The pipe connected to the indoor unit is connected to the joint. The refrigerant flows through the piping and the refrigeration cycle is operated. The connection part, the joint and the valve are covered with a connection part cover. First and second openings are provided on the side surfaces of the outdoor unit, and first and second guide portions are provided on the inner surface of the connection portion cover. Condensed water condensed by the joint and the valve is dropped on the connection portion cover, and is guided to the first and second openings by the first and second guide portions.

  In the air conditioner configured as described above, the present invention is characterized in that the first and second openings are disposed above the lower end of the connection portion. According to this structure, a connection part can be arrange | positioned to the lower end vicinity of an outdoor unit.

  In the air conditioner having the above-described configuration, the present invention is characterized in that a rib that fits into the connection portion is erected on the bottom surface of the inner surface of the connection portion cover. According to this structure, a rib fits into a connection part, and dew condensation water flows into the 1st, 2nd guide part arrange | positioned on the outer side of a rib.

  In the air conditioner having the above-described configuration, the present invention is characterized in that a packing or a sealing material is provided on a surface of the connection portion cover facing the cabinet. According to this configuration, the connection portion cover is in close contact with the cabinet through a waterproof packing such as rubber or a waterproof seal material such as polyethylene or polyurethane.

  According to the present invention, since the joints or valves are provided dispersedly on the front surface and the back surface of the connection portion, a large number of pipes can be easily connected even when a plurality of indoor units are connected. In addition, since the first and second guide portions that guide the condensed water to the first and second openings disposed before and after the connection portion are provided on the inner surface of the connection portion cover, the connection portion cover that covers the lower portion of the connection portion is provided. There is no need to provide an inclined surface at the lower end. Thereby, a connection part can be arrange | positioned to the lower end vicinity of an outdoor unit, and size reduction of an outdoor unit can be achieved.

  Also, no tray or drain hose is required to drain the condensed water from the joints and valves. Furthermore, the dew condensation water of the joint and the valve dispersed in the front and rear can be easily collected by the first and second openings arranged in the front and rear.

  According to the present invention, since the first and second openings are arranged above the lower end of the connection part, the connection part can be arranged to a position closer to the lower end of the outdoor unit. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the size of the outdoor unit.

  According to the present invention, since the rib fitted to the connection portion is erected on the inner bottom portion of the connection portion cover, the dew condensation water flowing down along the connection portion can be reliably guided to the first and second guide portions. . Moreover, the dew condensation water which generate | occur | produces in a coupling and a valve can be stopped, and it can accumulate reliably in the 1st, 2nd guide part.

  According to the present invention, since the packing or the sealing material is provided on the surface of the connection portion cover facing the cabinet, water leakage from the gap between the connection portion cover and the cabinet can be prevented.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the conventional example shown in FIG.

  In the air conditioner 1, an indoor unit 2 arranged indoors and an outdoor unit 3 arranged outdoors are connected by a pipe 15 through which a refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flows through the pipe 15 and the refrigeration cycle is operated. The outdoor unit 3 is covered with a cabinet 6 that forms a main body casing. Side plates 8 a and 8 b (see FIG. 2) are provided on the side surface 8 of the cabinet 6. A connecting portion cover 20 is attached to a connecting portion 9 (see FIG. 2) provided between the side plates 8a and 8b. The side plates 8a and 8b may be formed integrally with the cabinet 6 by the same member.

  2 and 3 are a perspective view and a side view showing a state where the connection portion cover 20 of the outdoor unit 3 is removed. A connecting portion 9 extending vertically is provided between the side plates 8a and 8b arranged in the front and rear directions. The connecting portion 9 is attached to an appropriate place inside the cabinet 6 with screws or the like. A plurality of joints 13 for connecting the pipes 15 are attached to the back surface of the connecting portion 9, and the joints 13 are arranged along the side plates 8 b of the outdoor unit 3.

  A plurality of valves 12 that change the flow rate of the refrigerant are attached to the front surface of the connection portion 9, and the valves 12 are arranged along the side plate 8 a of the outdoor unit 3. Thereby, even when the outdoor unit 3 is connected to the plurality of indoor units 2 and the number of the pipes 15 is increased, the outdoor unit 3 can be easily distributed and attached by the connecting portion 9. The valve 12 includes a two-way valve, a three-way valve, and the like.

  In the side plates 8a and 8b, first and second openings 14a and 14b are opened in front and rear of the connecting portion 9, respectively. The first and second openings 14 a and 14 b are disposed above the lower end of the connection portion 9. The connection portion cover 20 is attached to the connection portion 9 so as to cover the connection portion 9, the joint 13, and the valve 12. Thereby, the aesthetics of the outdoor unit 3 can be improved.

  4 and 5 are perspective views of the front surface side and the back surface side of the connection portion cover 20. The connection portion cover 20 is made of a resin molded product formed in a box shape opening on the cabinet 6 side. Screw holes 20 a are formed in the bosses at the upper and lower portions of the connection portion cover 20. The connection portion cover 20 is attached by screwing a screw (not shown) inserted through the screw hole 20a into the screw hole 9a (see FIG. 3) of the connection portion 9. An opening 20b through which the pipe 15 (see FIG. 3) passes is provided on the rear side of the connection portion cover 20.

  On the bottom of the inner surface of the connection portion cover 20, ribs 23 that are fitted to the front surface and the rear surface of the connection portion 9 are erected. On both sides of the rib 23, there are provided first and second guide portions 21 and 22 that guide the condensed water generated in the connection portion cover 20 to the first and second openings 14 a and 14 b.

  The first and second guide portions 21 and 22 are surrounded by a bottom surface on the inner surface side of the connection portion cover 20, contact portions 21 a and 22 a having groove portions 21 b and 22 b, and ribs 23. The groove portions 21b and 22b are formed by cutting out the upper portions of the contact portions 21a and 22a.

  As shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 6, the bottom surface on the inner surface side of the connection portion cover 20 constituting the first and second guide portions 21 and 22 is curved inclined surfaces 21c and 22c (22c is not shown). Yes. The lower ends of the grooves 21b and 22b coincide with the ends of the inclined surfaces 21c and 22c, respectively, and the tips of the grooves 21b and 22b are inserted into the first and second openings 14a and 14b.

  In the air conditioner 1 having the above configuration, the refrigerant flows through the pipe 15 to operate the refrigeration cycle, and the indoor unit 2 performs indoor air conditioning. Since some of the pipes 15 have a low temperature, dew condensation occurs on the joint 13 and the valve 12. Condensed water generated in the joint 13 and the valve 12 drips into the connection portion cover 20.

  The condensed water dripped into the connection portion cover 20 flows down the inclined surfaces 21c and 22c of the first and second guide portions 21 and 22, and is guided from the groove portions 21b and 22b to the first and second openings 14a and 14b. The condensed water flowing into the outdoor unit 3 from the first and second openings 14a and 14b is drained through a drain hose (not shown) attached to a bottom plate (not shown) on the bottom surface of the outdoor unit 3.

  According to the present embodiment, since the joints 13 and the valves 12 are provided dispersed on the front surface and the back surface of the connection portion 9, a large number of pipes 15 can be easily connected even when a plurality of indoor units 2 are connected. In addition, since the first and second guide portions 21 and 22 for guiding condensed water to the first and second openings 14a and 14b arranged before and after the connection portion 9 are provided on the inner surface of the connection portion cover 20, the connection portion It is not necessary to provide an inclined surface at the lower end of the connection portion cover 20 that covers the lower side of the conventional 9 as in the prior art. Thereby, the connection part 9 can be arrange | positioned to the lower end vicinity of the outdoor unit 3, and size reduction of the outdoor unit 3 can be achieved.

  Moreover, the dew condensation water of the joint 13 and the valve 12 which are disperse | distributed back and forth can be easily collect | recovered by 1st, 2nd opening part 14a, 14b distribute | arranged back and forth.

  In addition, since the first and second openings 14 a and 14 b are arranged above the lower end of the connection unit 9, the connection unit 9 can be arranged to a position closer to the lower end of the outdoor unit 3. Accordingly, the outdoor unit 3 can be further downsized.

  Further, since the rib 23 fitted to the connection portion 9 is erected on the bottom of the inner surface of the connection portion cover 20, the dew condensation water flowing down along the connection portion 9 flows outside the rib 23. Therefore, the dew condensation water can be reliably guided to the first and second guide portions 21 and 22.

  Further, since the contact portions 21a and 22a are in contact with the side plates 8a and 8b with a wide area, water leakage from the gap between the connection portion cover 20 and the cabinet 6 can be prevented. It is more desirable to provide packing or a sealing material on the surface of the connection portion cover 20 facing the cabinet 6. Thereby, the water leak from the clearance gap between the side plates 8a and 8b and the connection part cover 20 can be prevented more reliably. In particular, it is more desirable to provide packing or a seal material at the upper end portions of the contact portions 21a and 22a.

  Further, a packing or a sealing material may be provided at a portion where the connecting portion cover 20 and the connecting portion 9 are in contact with each other. Thereby, the water leak from the clearance gap between the connection part cover 20 and the connection part 9 can be prevented more reliably. A waterproof packing such as rubber can be used as the packing. A waterproof sealing material such as polyethylene or polyurethane can be used as the sealing material.

  In the present embodiment, the joints 13 may be provided in a distributed manner on the front surface and the back surface of the connection portion 9, and the valve 12 may be provided in a distributed manner on the front surface and the back surface of the connection portion 9. Further, when the valve 12 is not attached to the connection portion 9, the joints 13 may be provided in a distributed manner on the front surface and the back surface of the connection portion 9.

  Moreover, the 1st, 2nd guide parts 21 and 22 should just be formed so that condensed water may be guide | induced to the 1st, 2nd opening parts 14a and 14b. For example, the inclined surfaces 21c and 22c may be horizontal surfaces.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the ends of the grooves 21b and 22b (22b is not shown) may be brought into contact with the side plates 8a and 8b. The lower ends of the grooves 21b and 22b coincide with the lower ends of the first and second openings 14a and 14b, and the dew condensation water is guided to the first and second openings 14a and 14b. The lower ends of the grooves 21b and 22b may be shifted upward or downward from the lower ends of the first and second openings 14a and 14b.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can utilize for the air conditioner which connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit by several piping with which a refrigerant | coolant distribute | circulates.

The perspective view which shows the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention The side view which shows the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the surface side of the connection part cover of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the back surface side of the connection part cover of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of the connection part cover of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of the connection part cover of the other aspect of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the outdoor unit of the conventional air conditioner

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Indoor unit 3 Outdoor unit 6 Cabinet 8a, 8b Side plate 9 Connection part 10 Tray 12 Valve 13 Joint 14a 1st opening part 14b 2nd opening part 15 Piping 20 Connection part cover 21 1st guide part 21a, 22a Contact portion 21b, 22b Groove portion 21c, 22c Inclined surface 22 Second guide portion 23 Rib

Claims (4)

  In an air conditioner that connects an indoor unit and an outdoor unit with a plurality of pipes through which a refrigerant flows, the outdoor unit includes a cabinet that forms a main body housing, a plurality of joints that connect the pipes, and a flow rate of the refrigerant. A variable valve; a connection part that protrudes from one side of the cabinet and is attached to the joint or the valve in a distributed manner on the front and back; an opening at the lower part of the side of the cabinet and the front of the connection part A first opening disposed in the cabinet, a second opening disposed in the lower portion of the side surface of the cabinet and disposed behind the connection portion, the connection portion, the joint, and the valve covering the cabinet. And a connection portion cover having first and second guide portions on the inner surface for guiding condensed water to the first and second openings.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first and second openings are disposed above the lower end of the connection portion.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a rib that fits into the connection portion is erected on an inner bottom portion of the connection portion cover.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a packing or a sealing material is provided on a surface of the connection portion cover facing the cabinet.

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